Listen to this articleRelay.app is a modern workflow automation platform designed to compete with tools like Zapier or Make. Its main “claim to fame” is that it combines AI and human in the loop collaboration directly within automated workflows.
Here is a breakdown of what makes it different and how you can get started:
Relay is a “next generation” automation tool. While traditional tools focus on connecting App A to App B, Relay focuses on complex workflows that often require a human to double check something or an AI to summarize data before the next step happens.
Key Differentiators:
- Human in the Loop: You can pause an automation and ask a teammate to “Approve” or “Add info” before the sequence continues.
- Native AI: It has OpenAI (GPT-4) built-in, so you don’t need a separate API key to summarize text, categorize emails, or extract data.
- Collaborative Building: It feels more like a shared Google Doc where multiple people can build and refine the automation.
- Modern UI: It uses a clean, linear “playbook” style rather than a messy web of connecting lines.
Relay.app: Step by Step Guide for Beginners
Step 1: Create your “Playbook”
In Relay, an automation is called a Playbook.
- Log in and click “New Playbook”.
- Give it a name (e.g., “New Lead Onboarding”).
Step 2: Set the Trigger
The trigger is the event that starts the automation.
- Click “Add Trigger”.
- Choose an app (e.g., Google Forms, Typeform, or Gmail).
- Follow the prompts to connect your account and select the specific event (e.g., “New Form Response”).
Step 3: Add an AI Step (Optional but Powerful)
If you want to process the data from your trigger:
- Click the “+” icon below your trigger.
- Select “AI”.
- Write a prompt like: “Summarize this form response into three bullet points” or “Determine if this lead is high priority based on their budget.”
Step 4: Add a “Human” Step
This is where Relay shines. If you want a person to check the AI’s work:
- Click “+” and select “Human Step”.
- Choose “Get Approval” or “Fill in Data”.
- Assign it to yourself or a teammate. The automation will now “pause” here until that person clicks a button in their email or Slack.
Step 5: Add the Action Step
Once approved, send the data to its final home.
- Click “+” and choose your destination app (e.g., Slack, Notion, or HubSpot).
- Map the data fields (e.g., send the AI Summary to a Slack channel).
Step 6: Test and Turn On
- Click “Test” to run a simulation with real data.
- If everything looks good, toggle the “Off” switch to “On” at the top right.
Summary Table for Beginners:
| Feature | What it does |
| Playbook | The entire automation flow. |
| Variables | Data (like a name or email) that moves from step to step. |
| Human Step | A pause button that waits for a person to chime in. |
| AI Step | Uses ChatGPT to think, write, or clean up data automatically. |
Relay.app redefines automation by bridging the gap between rigid machine logic and necessary human judgment through its intuitive “playbook” design. By embedding native AI and approval checkpoints directly into workflows, it eliminates the friction often found in traditional, disconnected tools. Ultimately, it serves as a powerful solution for teams seeking to automate sophisticated business processes without losing the essential touch of manual oversight.
